Lubricating apparatus



' LUBRICATING APPARATUS Original Fiied Jan. 51', 1925 m w m I ELE-S LE6? n N m T T Reissuecl Dec. 8,1931

insure!) sT ss PATENT OFFICE cmtns LEA, or MILTON, massacnu'snr'rs, AssIGNoa, BY mnsni'i Assmnmnnrs, 'ro

THE LUBRICATION CORTORATION, 01 SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, A CORPORATION DELAWARE nnmcamc 'nrana'rus reissue filed September 12,

This invention relates to the art of"lubrica tion, it being more especially concerned with means for opening the closures of receptacles and introducing lubricant thereinto, and the invention aims to avoid the inconvenience, loss of time and other disadvantages, which have hitherto characterized the use of devices of-this class. While the invention is susceptible of general application, it has more particular reference to the lubrication of various minor bearings of a motor car, such as spring bolts and other parts which are usually provided with grease or oil cups.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the following description, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings of one illustrative embodiment. thereof while its scope will be more articularly pointed out in the appendedc aims.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a lubricating apparatus exemplifying the invention ig. 2 is a vertical, longitudinal sectional. view on an'en'larged scale showing the parts whichappear at the left-hand side of Flg. 1,

the parts being shown in the positions which they occupy when the filler is fully attached to the receiver in readiness for fillingithe Fig.1; v i 6 is a sectional view on line 6 -6 of latter; 1 Fi 3 is a view similar to L 4-, showing the ller reliminarily applie to the re- 'ceiver, but efore beingsecured thereto I Figure 4 is a sectional view on line 4-4 of --Fi 1, showing the parts intheir normal 100 ed ositions; and I Fig. isa v1ews1m1lar to Fig. 6, showmg the locking sleeve: retracted and the two teleeacho scopic parts of the conduit unlocked from t er.

Referring to'lthe drawings, and to the embodiment of the invention which is selected for exemplification, there'is shbwn (see Fig. 2) a lubricant receiver, herein exemplified b an oil cup having a reservoir'8- provided wit I I an inlet 10and an outlet 12, the latter to be connected with the bearing to be lubricated,

Original No. 1,887,808, dated August 2, 1927, Serial No: 616,064, filed January 31, 1923. Application for 1931. Serial No. 562,565..

formed as a part of a casing having a body 14, whose lower end is threaded as at 16 onto a base 18, which presents at-its lower end a threaded'nipple 20, in which the outlet 12 is formed. This nipple may be screwed into an opening leading to the bearing,- and to facilitate this operation, the base 18 is'herein rovided with a polygonal portion 22 (see ig. 3) to receive a wrench, not shown.

Toensure an-ample supply of lubricant between the bearing surfaces, and to carry away In the present example, the reservoir is t foreign substances, provision is made for the descent'of the tube beyond its normal position. The other passage is presented by an annular chamber 28 formed in the base 18 about the tube 24, and communicating with the interior of the latter by one or more, herein a plurality, of openings 30 provided in the circumferential wall of'the tubel A slow feeding of oil to the bearing is permitted by a suitable permeable barrier, herein aring 32 of porous felt or other appropriate construction, preferably forced into place and held there b friction, sothat it may readily be remove and replaced by another. The proportions and density of the felt ring are selected to suit the particular conditions under which the oil cup is used,

and if the rate of feed is not correct, the lug may be removed and a different-one su stituted therefor. The inlet 10 presents a valve seat 34, which diminishes in cross-section toward the inlet orifice, and cooperating therewith is a suitable valve 36, herein having'a generally The upper end of the spring is seated against the under side'of the valve head, and at its lower end against the upper end of the tube The stem and'internal surface of the tube are separated by an annular space 42, through which oil supplied to the inlet may be fed through the tube directly to the bearing, without passing through the slow feeding passage, which is restricted by the permeable barrier 32. When, however, the bearing has been flushed and hastaken up all the oil which it will hold, the tube 24 overflows, and continued feeding of oil to the inlet causes the reservoir 8 to be filled through an annular passage 44 about the upper end of-the tube. It should be understood, of course, that the valve 36 is in the nature of -a check valve, which opens inwardlynnder the pressure of the oil, and

when the pressure drops below a predetermined point the valve is seated by its spring. The inlet of the reservoir is, therefore, norinally closed, and is protected against the entrance of foreign matter.. The working part which is thus lubricated can be started with the assurance of an ample supply of oil.

Subsequently during the operation, a. slow feeding of'the oil takes place by way of the normal feeding-device, herein by seepage through the felt ring, the density and proportions of which, as before stated, are such 7 as to permit the proper rate of feeding to suit the particular circumstances.

' The filler or oilgun will now be described, reference being had at'first to Fig. 1. A .reservoir 46 is provided for the lubricant, preferably oil, which is conducted therefrom through a conduit designated generally by the numeral 48, having a nozzle 50. The nozzle and oil cup have suitable cooperating means permitting one to be attached to the other in various angular relations of their longitudinal axes. This is highly desirable, especially in the lubrication of motor car chassis bearings, many of which are located at points diflicult of access. By reason of the construction presently to be described, it is possible to reach with the filler from a remote point, attach the filler-to the reservoir without the necessity of nicety of angular positioning of the filler, and couple them tightly .together by the use of one hand grasping thefiller at a remote oint, such.

as by using the'reservoir 46 as a andle, the

- filler being first loosely applied to the reser-.

" voir, and then by a forward motion clamped onto the latter. Subsequently, movement of the reservoir in another direction ejects the oil therefrom through the'conduit into the receiver. 1

The means for coupling the receiver to the filler will now be described,'reference being had at first to Fig. 2. The receiver and filler present a separable, universal coupling, herein exemplified by a ball and socket joint. In

- the present example, the ball. member is on the receiver, and the latter presents a head 52 jointed to the body by a neck 54. The head has an external surface 56, which is formed as a zone of a sphere. The socket member of the universal joint is presented by a cap 58, having an annular surface cooperating with the surface of the sphere to maintain a joint permitting a relative turning move-, ment about the center of the sphere. In the present example, the annular surface is presented by' a packing ring or washer 60set into a recess 62 formed'in the cap 58. The dimensions and relations of the parts just described are such that the filler is susceptible of application to the receiver through quite a considerable range of angular movement about the center of the sphere. and as ,the mouth of the passage in the cap 58 is considerably greater than the opening or inlet into the nipple head .52 lubricant may be fed over a wide range from any angle or direction of approach within the range of approach permitted by the mechanical construction of the parts. The angular movement of the longitudinal axis AA of the nozzle with relation to the longitudinal axis B B of the oil cup is limited only by the presence of the neck below the spherical head.

The range of movementabout the'longitudinal axis BB of the cup is unlimited, and

the nozzle can be'applied thereto from any direction, subject only to the presenceof any surrounding objects, such as parts ofthechassis.

The cup is provided with a discharge orifice 64, which communicates with the inlet orifice of the oil cup throughout the range of adjustment of the nozzle, this opening being within the space bounded by the annular packing ring ofwasher 60, which, when firmly held in place on-the spherical surface of the head, prevents leakage of oil past the washer. a The orifice 64 receives its oil through an angular passage 66, which com- -municates' with a tubular stem 68, the latter communicating with and having a snug working fit in a passage 70 extending lengthwise within a terminal or connector 72 forming a part of the conduit which conducts the oil from the reservoir to the receiver.

' The means for clamping the cap onto the head-will now'be described, reference being had at first to Fig. 4. The terminal 72 is provided with a pair of arms 74, which .cmbrace the neck and engage the spherical head at a zone intermediate the center of the latter and the neck. The engaging surfaces 76 of I the arms with this zone are parts of a cylin drical surface whose diameter is the same as that of the sphere, and whose axis CC is in-.

clined with respect to the longitudinal axis AA of the nozzle and the stem 68, which slide's'axially in the passage 70. Preferably the cap 58, in sliding to and fro with reference to the terminal 7 2, is guided not only bythe stem68 but by lateral guides 78 and a top guide 80 '(see Fig. 4 all ofwhich are parallel with the axis ,AA. The cap is provided ,with a. depending lug 82 (see Fig. 3), which serves as a stop to limit the forward movement of the cap with reference to the head.

I between these parts takes place, and the inclined surfaces of the arms against the under side of the head act on the late of awedge to cause the capto be forced ownwardonto the head, and to compress the washer 60, thereby aflording a non-leaking joint between the cap and the head. The relative sliding motion of the head and the terminal is limlted by a suitable stop, herein a screw 84, which plays to and fro in a slot 86 provided in the upper guide SO. It follows that the cap cannot be accidentally withdrawn entirely from the terminal, or forced out of the latter by the oilpressure against the inner end of the stem 68.

It is desirable that the cap shall be presented normally in its extreme forward position in readiness for application to the head, and yieldingly retained in such position against accidental rearward displacement, which would make it necessary to push it forward by hand. To this end, therefore, there is provided: a yieldin spring 88, which may Y secured tothe head by the screw 84, said spring presenting a knob 90 adapted to engage over the front end ofthe upper guide 86- (see Fig. 3) when the cap is in its forward position, thereby retaining the cap in place. .When, however, the terminal 72 is thrust forward to the osition represented in Fig. 2, this spring Wlll yield in an upward direction, and become released from the uide.

Prefera ly', the outlet of the filler is valvecontrolled, and in the embodiment shown has a normally closed check valve, herein a ball 92 cooperating with a valve seat 94, against which it is normally seated by a sp'rin 96. This-valve is o ned by, thelpressure o the oil, and is closecl by the spring when the pressure is removed. In the present example, the valve seat is formed as a part of a plug or bushing 98, inserted in the conduit now to'be described in detail.

The conduit is laterally inflexible, so that by the use of one hand onl the filler maybe attached to the receiver. Tllis makes it possible'to'use the filler in places where a twohand operation would be diificult or inconvenient. Moreover, the expulsio'nof the oil .from the receiver is preferably a one-hand o ration, this being conveniently accomp ished by makin the reservoir in the form of a cylinder in w ich there is mounted see Fig. 5) a'piston 100, suitabl attached to the inner end of the conduit. T is piston is pro-- vided with a cup "leather packing 102, whose free edge is directed rearwardly, and itmay be urged into contact with the internal surdetent comprising a V face of the cylinder by a suitably arranged spring 104 put into place under compression. The cylinder is rovided with suitable means to permit the introduction of a supply of oil thereinto, andto that end, herein has a cover in the form of a cylinder head 106 provided with an annular flange 108 having screw-threaded engagement with the rear end of the cylinder. When the cover is screwed into place, a compressible packin ring or washer 110 prevents the escape 0 oil in a rearward direction. It is intended that the piston shallbe moved to the front end of the cylinder, and the space at the rear of the piston then filled with oil by the removal of the cover, which is subsequently replaced.

To reduce to a minimumthe amount of air at the rear of the piston, I preferably provide the cover with suitable means for displacing the air, the cover to that end being cupped inwardly as at 112 towhatever extent is neccssary to ensure the expulsion of all the air in applying the cover. As the latter is being screwed into place, the air trapped in the cylpacking ring brings up against the end of the cylinder, the latter is tightly sealed.

The exclusion of air from-the rear end of the cylinder is important, because otherwise air and oil would come out together, and there would be a tendency to spill and spread the oil. The pressure of air would tend to cause some oil to be expelled after the pressure is released, thus wasting the oil and smearing things generally. When the air is excluded,

.the oil is delivered ina solid stream, and no oil will pass out of the nozzle after the pressure applled by the hand of the user ceases.

In this example, the relative movement ofthe piston and cylinder to cause the expulsion of the oil is effected by the use of a threaded engagement between the cylinder and the conduit, the latter herein comprising a section or tube 114 having screw-threaded engagement with a nut 116 conveniently formed as an lntegral part of a front cylinder head 118. This-arrangement has the advantage of permitting the nozzle to be applied to the oil cup, and, the latter to be opened by longitudinal movement of the cylinder and conduit, but without placing the oil under pressure, which would-be apt to open the check valve 92 prematurely.

.Whenthe filler is used for automobiles,.

its length will be'such that the user may reach in fromsome point desirably remote from the receiver, and then introduce the lubricant, thereby avoiding contact with the 1 hands or clothing with the dirty or oily parts of the machine. The length-of the. conduit i'sfs'uch as to suit the particular circumstances.

To save space in storing the filler when the latter is not in use, the conduit may be made telescopic, this being conveniently accom-J a section or t plished in the present example by providing u e 120, telesco section 114 and axially slldable therein. Preferably, the inner end of this section (see 'Fig. 6) is provided with, an outwardly directed flange 122, adapted to cooperate with a shoulder 124'within the section/114 to prevent the inner section from being entirely withdrawn or forced in an outward direc tion by the pressure of the oil. Leakage of oil at the joint between the two sections may be prevented by\the use of a suitable compressible packing ring 126- received in a'circumferential groove 128 provided in the inner section 120, preferably just forward of the flange 122.

In applying the filler to the receiver, the user grasps thecylinder. 46 and pushes the .filler forward. Naturally, this tends to cause the two sections of the conduit to telescope one into the other. On the other hand, when subsequently the cylinder is rotated by the hand of the user to cause the expulsion of oil from the filler into the receiver, naturally there is a tendency for the two parts of the conduit to turn one on the other. To the end that these two tendencies may be resisted when the filler isin use, while still permitting the conduit to be collapsed instantly when it is desired to reduce the over-all dimensions of the filler for storage purposes. I have provided suitable means, which will now be described, reference being had to Figs. 6 and 7.

The inner conduit 120 is provided with one or more, herein a plurality, of depressions 130, any one of which may receive a locking conduit conveniently in the form of a ball 132, which is radially movable in an aperture 134, provided .in the circumferential wall of the front terminal portion of the conduit section 114. The radial. movement of the ball in the aperture iscontrolled by a sleeve 136, which encircles the conduit section 114, and is provided with two annular internal grooves 138 and 140, one of larger diameter than the other, and preferably connected by. an inclined surface 142. When-the sleeve is I disposed in the position shown in Fig. 6,the smaller groove 140 registers with the ball 132, and prevents the latter from being displaced from the depression 130 in which it is received. When, on the other hand, the

sleeve is moved rearwardly to the positidn represented in Fig. 7, the larger groove v 138 is brought into alignment with the ball, and the latter is then free to move outward so that it may be disengaged from the depression 130 by simply moving the one conduit section lengthwise of the other. 'The helically coiled spring 144 is interposed between a shoulder 146 presented by the conduit section 114 and a shoulder 148 presented by the sleeve, and said spring constantly tends to urge the sleeve forward (1 within the into the position represented in Fig. 6.

Forward movement of the sleeve under the influence of the spring is limited by the inner end of the smaller circumferential gfoove 140 to cooperate with theball 130.

ov'ement of the sleeve'in the opposite direction is limited by the forward end of the larger groove 138 cooperating with the ball 130. Rotation of the sleeve with relation to the conduit section 114 may be prevented by providing the latter with a pin 150 received in a lon 'tudinal slot 152 provided in the sleeve. his pin and'slot may serve to limit rearward movement of the sleeve, if desired.

When, now, the sleeve is positioned as shown in Fig. 5, the conduit sections are positively locked together, and therefore the user may grasp the cylinder 46 andurge the filler forward to attach the same to the receiver followed by rotation of the cylinder to fill the receiver, yet without relative movement of .the condult sections. When, on the other hand, the filler is to be stored, the conduit may be collapsed by first sliding thelocking sleeve in a rearward direction, and then sliding the conduit sections one into the other. If desired, the forwardconduit section 120 may be provided with one or more depressions 130', similar tothe depressions 130, to permit the sections to be lockedin their collaplsed position against accidental movement.

he general operationof the filler will now be described. The filler 1S1 first filled with oil inthe manner hereinbefore described. lhe cyllnder presents a nipple which is grasped by one hand of the user, who then Y loosely applies the filler to the receiver by reaching the filler forward and placing the cap of the filler on the head of the receiver. The user then pushes the cylinder forward, thereby causing the forward terminal of the conduit to advance with relation to the cap,

during which advance the cap is firmly.

clamped onto the head, and the packing washer in the cap is compressed to prevent-leakage of oil. A fluid-tight connection'between I the 'filler and the recelver havin been estab- 'lished, pressure is applied totiie oil in the filler by simply'turriing the cylinder throu h desir amount of oil. -When" the proper the check valves in the filler and the receiver inder in a rearwar direction. I v

Having thus described one embodiment of J my invention, but without having limited myself thereto,.what I claim and desire by Letters Patent to secure is:: j t

1. In a lubricating apparatus, the combination of a receiver and a Iar distance necessary to expel t e close under theinfluence of their respective I :springs. The filler may thenbe detached from the receiver b simply moying the cyl .er end of said connector being connectible with the receiver and adapted to be applied to and to fill said receiver, said receiver presenting a surface which is a zone of asphere and the said connector end presenting anannular surface cooperating therewith, and means to lock said receiver and connector end together and to maintain a joint" per-' mitting relative turning movement about the center of said sphere, said receiver and connector end presenting a separable coupling affording a conduit for the lubricant in its passage from said reservoir to said receiver, one of the limiting planes of said annular surface lying at an angle other than a right angle to the general direction of extension of said connector.

.2. In a lubricating apparatus, the combination of a receiver and a filler adapted to be applied to and to fill said receiver, said receiver and filler comprising separablecoupling members having provision for attachment of one to the other in various angular relations of their longitudinal axes, and means for limiting rotation of one of said members about its said longitudinal axis with relation to the other member, said receiver presenting a surface thatis a zone of a sphere with a. lubricant receiving orifice of relatively small diameter compared to the diameter of said receiver surface and said filler presenting an' annular surface cooperative to make sealing engagement with said receiver surface, the shortest diameter of the annular engaging surface of said filler being relatively greater than the diameter of said receiving orifice.

3. In a lubricating apparatus, the combination of a receiver having a lubricant receiving orifice and a filler adapted to be applied to and to fill said receiver, said receiver presenting a head and a neck, said head having a surface which is a zone of a sphere, and the filler presenting an annular surface cooperating therewith to maintain a joint permitting a relative turning movement about the center of said sphere, and means embracing said neck and cooperating with said head to securethe receiver and filler together, the smallest small circle of said annular surface being of considerably greater diameter thanthe diameter of said orifice.

4. In a lubricating apparatus, the combination of a receiver having a head and a neck presenting a passage extending through said neck and having an inlet in said head; and a filler comprising two members, one adapted to engage said head at top and bottom, respectively, and to telescope relatively to each other in a direction transverse to said neck. the member which engages the top of said head presenting a passage adapted to communicate with said receiver passage.

5. In a lubricating apparatus, the combination of a receiver having a head and a neck presenting a passage extending through said neck and having an inlet in said head; and a filler comprising two members, one adapted to engage said head at top and bottom, respectively, and to telescope relatively to each other transverse to said neck, one of said members having means rendered effective by movement of such member in one direction transversely of said neck to cause said memhere to clamp said head therebetween, one of said members presenting a passage adapted to communicate with the passage in said receiver, the mouth of the passage in said clamp .ly to each other. transverse to said neck, one

of said members having means rendered effective by movementof such member in one direction transversely to said neck to cause said members to clamp said head therebetween, said members presenting passages communicating with each other and with the passage in said receiver.

7 In a lubricating'apparatus, the combination of a receiver having a head and a neck presenting a passage extending through said neck and having an inlet in said head; and a filler comprising two relatively telescopic members having provision, by relative telescopic movement transversely of said neck, to clamp said head therebetween, and detent means normally to .retain said members in a definite relative position with respect to their relative telescopic movement.

8. In a lubricating apparatus, the combination of a receiver having a head and a neck presenting a passage extending through said neck and having an inlet in said head; and a filler comprising two relatively telescopic members, having provision, by relative telescopic movement transversely of said neck, to clamp said head therebetween, and detent means normally to retain said members in a relatively extended position considered with respect to their relative, tele scopic movement.

9. In a lubricating apparatus,.the combination of a receiver having a head and a neck presenting a passage extending through said neck and having an inlet in said head;

' V bers in a relatively extended position considered with reference to their relative, telescopic movement, said detent having provision to yield and to permit such movement upon the application of the suflicient degree of force on one member relatively to the other.

10. In a lubricating apparatus, the combination of a receiver having a spherical head 0 and a neck presenting a conduit extending through said neck and having an inlet in said head; andv a filler comprising two relatively telescopic members, one presenting a socket to receive said head, and the other presenting surfaces adapted to embrace said neck and to cooperate with said head to utilize movement of such member transversely of said neck and relatively to the other member to urge-the latter into firm engagement with said head, said members presenting relatively telescopic conduits, communicating with each other and adapted to communicate with said conduit in said receiver.

11. In a lubricating apparatus, the combination of a receiver having a spherical head and a neck presenting a conduit extending through said neck and having aninlet in said head; and a filler comprising two relatively telescopic members, one presenting a socket to receive said head, and the other having a pair of arms adapted to embrace said neck. and presenting surfaces engageable with the .under side of'said'head and'inclined with respect to the path of relative telescopic movement of said members, thereby to utilize such movement to cause said members to clamp said head therebetween, said members presenting relatively telescopic conduits communicating with each other and adapted to 4 communicate with said conduit in said receive'r.

- In witness whereof, I have affixed my signature. p 7 CHARLES LEA. 

